About Maputo and Mozambique

Mozambique is situated on the southeast coast of Africa. To the east is the Indian Ocean; Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia are to the north; to the west is Zimbabwe and South Africa; and to the south, Swaziland and South Africa.

The total area of Mozambique is 799,380 km2. It has a coastline with the Indian Ocean of over 2515 kilometers. Mozambique overall is relatively low and flat. The highest points are in the mountainous region located by the Zimbabwe border.

Mozambique became independent from the Portuguese colonial regime on June 25, 1975, after 10 years of war.

Weather
The climate of Mozambique is generally tropical and humid. The dry season in the Centre/North lasts for four to six months, whereas in the South it lasts six to nine months. The rainy season is between October and April. Average temperatures are around 68º F or 20ºC in the south, and 79º F or 26ºC in the north. Highest temperatures are normally registered during the rainy seasons.

Language
Portugese is the official language spoken throughout Mozambique, with 13 other main national languages. English is taught in secondary school, and it's reasonably easy to find English speakers in the main urban areas. In rural areas, many people do not speak Portugese or English.

Currency
The local currency is the Metical (plural, meticais). Exchange is available in banks and exchange agencies. Credit cards are accepted in most formal establishments, and traveler's cheques are acceptable at banks and some hotels, although with high fees.

Electrical Supply
Local voltage is 220/240 V 50 Hz, and the round two pin prongs are the standard

Water
Visitors are advised to drink bottled water.

Medical
Medical Clinics in Maputo :

Instituto do Coração, Av. Kenneth Kaunda, Tel: 21414763.
Clinica Especial, Av. Eduardo Mondlane, Tel: 21324633 /21429522
Central Hospital, Av. Eduardo Mondlane, Tel: 21424633
Clinica Sommerschield, Rua Pereira do Lago, 52, Tel: 21493924
Clinica Dentamed, Av. Francisco Orlando Magubwe, 954, Tel: 21493370
Swedish Clinic, Av. Julius Nyerere 1128, Tel. 21490091/4

Visas
Click here for information on visas

Restaurants and Carry-Out
There are many fine restaurants in Maputo. A few are:

ASKA - Av. 25 de Setembro, 420 r/c JAT Building, Tel: 21302618, Mobile: 82 311 8690 (Japanese/ Korean food. Including sushi).

Café Sol - Sun Square, Rua Beijo da Mulata, Sommershield II (American café specialising in processing their own Malawian coffee. Light lunches. Spacious, in big garden. Popular with Embassy staff)

Costa do Sol. Av. Marginal, Bairro Triunfo, Tel: 21450 115 ( Maputo's most famous restaurant, specializing in seafood. Always busy and great views.)

Cristal Restaurant and Bar - Av. 24 Julho, Tel: 82 281 5180 (Popular Portuguese restaurant. 2 large bars)

Debonairs Pizza - Av. 25 de Setembro 442, Tel: 21312180/188/199, Cell 82 288 2880 (delivery)

Escopriao - Recinto Da Feira Popular, Tel: 21 302 2128 (Good popular local restaurant. Lots of atmosphere. Casual and busy. Seafood and Meat.)

Galaxy - Av Transversal Base N'Tchinga - Rua Bairro da Coop ao lado da MOBIL, Tel: 21415668, Cell: 82 254 1940/82 314 0270/84 471 0600 (Indian food. No alcohol served in restaurant. Delivery service.)

Interthai - Rua Muthemba Mateus Sansao (Close to Hotel Cardoso) (Good Thai food)

Jardin Dos Mariscos - Av. Friederich Engels, 290 (in Parque dos Namorados) tel: 21 49 65 43 (Specialising in seafood. Up market.)

Manjar dos Deuses - Av. Julius Nyerere, 162, Tel: 21496834 (Portuguese food)

Meat Co. - Av. Marginal, 2589 (in the Casino), Tel: 21 483 579 (South African, specialising in steaks. Bookings for larger groups recommended. Sasas Bar upstairs.)

Micasa - Av. Julius Nyerere, 28, Tel: 21491 130 (Portuguese food)

Mimmos - 24 de Julho, Tel: 21309491, Cell: 82 948 7420. Also located on top floor of Maputo Shopping Centre. (South African chain - pasta, salads, burgers, fish, steak etc)

MiraMar - Av.Marginal, 4279 (beside Sagres) (Seafood. Casual environment on the beach)

Mundo's Restaurant and Sports Bar - Av. Julius Nyerere, 657, Tel: 21495336 (South African. Casual and relaxed environment. Probably best pizza in Maputo).

O Dragão - Av. Salvador Allende 313 (beside Mimmos), Tel: 21305850, Cell: 82 469 9980 (Chinese Food)

Pirata - Av. Julius Nyerere 410, Mobile: 824532340 (Seafood/steaks)

Piri Piri - Av. 24 Julho, 22, (opposite Polana Shopping Centre). (Famous for Piri Piri chicken)

Rodízio - Av. Julius Nyerere, 792, Tel: 21497275 (specializing in Brazilian meat dishes. More formal environment.)

Sagres - Av. Marginal, 4279, Tel: 21495201 (Seafood. It is a semi-casual environment. Good for working lunch)

Taverna - Av. Julius Nyerere, Tel: 84 444 5550 (Best authentic Portuguese food in town. Bookings recommended)

Vintage India - Av. Julius Nyerere, 450, Tel: 21 48 64 30 (Indian food)

page last updated on November 19, 2008